Note-Taking
Overview
The Disability Resource Center (DRC) at Cal Poly provides note-taking services for authorized students who are registered with our office.
Requirements
Students verify their disabilities with the DRC office by providing appropriate documentation from a physician or licensed professional.
After the documentation has been reviewed, students meet with an Access Specialist to develop a services and accommodations plan. At this meeting, students will sign a DRC Note-taking Agreement to confirm that they have read and understood policies related to the provision of note taking services.
Procedure
- Students submit a note-taking request form (Blue Card) each quarter specifying the accommodations they are requesting. Students should indicate the classes in which they are enrolled, the class section numbers, and when their classes meet. This information is entered into a database at the DRC front desk.
- The DRC automatically sends an email to students registered in the courses for which students have requested note takers. DRC students are free to, and in fact are encouraged to, select their own note takers, either in consultation with instructors or by asking classmates.
- The email message directs potential student note takers to the DRC.
- The DRC will inform DRC students when note takers are matched to their courses.
- Student and note taker agree upon method of exchanging notes.
- Note taker provides notes to student on a regular basis (daily, weekly or as agreed upon).
- Student and/or note taker contact the DRC whenever there is a problem. Students unsuccessful in obtaining a note taker should immediately contact their Access Specialist.
Students using note taker services are expected to follow the policies and procedures outlined in the DRC Note-taking Agreement.
Problems or Concerns
The provision of quality note taking services is a shared responsibility, involving the student, the note-taker, and the DRC staff. Effective communication is essential. From the beginning, students should respectfully express their needs and preferences directly to the note-taker.
Students need to report difficulties or problems to their Access Specialist or note-taker Coordinator as soon as possible.
Student or Note-taker Absences
Note-taking services are not a substitute for attending class. Students are expected to regularly attend class. Consistency of note-taking is critical. In the event that the note-taker does not show up or misses an excessive number of classes, students should first contact the note-taker to address the situation. If the behavior continues, the student should contact the DRC for assistance.
If students do not show up consistently for class, leave early, or miss an excessive number of classes, the note-taker should notify the DRC office.
Note
Students will be asked to sign an "Note-taking Agreement " to indicate that they have read and agree to the above policies and procedures.
Note-taking Agreement (.pdf)
Resources for Note-takers
Note-taker candidates should:
- Have at least a 2.5 GPA.
- Contact the DRC office to complete necessary employment forms.
- Utilize two-part NCR paper when taking notes for one DRC student. If more than one DRC student is enrolled in the same class, pick up a copying sticker from the DRC office that allows the note taker to duplicate notes in the Second Edition copy center in the University Union. DRC students still pick up their notes in the student note file in the DRC office.
- Read the Note-taker Services handout which explains the note taker's responsibilities, and gives some helpful hints and recommendations for providing this service.
- Take the Online Note-taker Training -- it's comprehensive and offers excellent suggestions for improving your efficiency and effectiveness. Pay particular attention to sections two and three, which are especially relevant to Cal Poly.
